U.S. patent number 6,658,087 [Application Number 10/137,715] was granted by the patent office on 2003-12-02 for nautical x-ray inspection system.
This patent grant is currently assigned to American Science and Engineering, Inc., American Science and Engineering, Inc.. Invention is credited to Alex Chalmers, Charles Squires.
United States Patent |
6,658,087 |
Chalmers , et al. |
December 2, 2003 |
Nautical X-ray inspection system
Abstract
An apparatus for inspecting a physical object in a nautical
environment includes a radiation source capable of directing a beam
of penetrating radiation toward the physical object, and a detector
capable of detecting the reaction of the physical object to the
penetrating radiation. In addition to detecting the reaction, the
detector is capable of delivering an output signal characterizing
the physical object. Accordingly, the output signal is based upon
the reaction of the physical object to the penetrating
radiation.
Inventors: |
Chalmers; Alex (Norwood,
MA), Squires; Charles (Newton, MA) |
Assignee: |
American Science and Engineering,
Inc. (Billerica, MA)
|
Family
ID: |
23107563 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/137,715 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
378/86;
378/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01V
5/0025 (20130101); G01V 5/02 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01N
23/20 (20060101); G01N 23/201 (20060101); G01N
23/203 (20060101); G01N 023/203 () |
Field of
Search: |
;378/86-89 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Church; Craig E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Bromberg & Sunstein LLP
Parent Case Text
PRIORITY
This U.S. patent application claims priority from U.S. provisional
patent application No. 60/288,539, filed May 3, 2001, naming Alex
Chalmers and Charles Squires as inventors, and having the title,
"Scatter Based X-Ray Inspection System," the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein, in its entirety, by reference.
Claims
We claim:
1. An apparatus for inspecting a nautical vessel in a nautical
environment, the apparatus comprising: a radiation source capable
of directing a beam of penetrating radiation toward the nautical
vessel, the nautical vessel having a reaction to the beam of
penetrating radiation; a detector capable of detecting the reaction
of the nautical vessel, the detector being capable of delivering an
output signal characterizing the nautical vessel, the output signal
being based upon the reaction of the nautical vessel; and a
platform supporting the radiation source and the detector, the
platform being physically unsupported by the nautical vessel.
2. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the platform is on
land.
3. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the platform is in a
nautical environment.
4. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 further comprising: a
transmitter for transmitting the output signal.
5. The apparatus as defined by claim 4 further comprising: an
analysis unit for receiving the output signal from the transmitter,
the analysis unit including an image correction module.
6. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the radiation source
includes an X-ray source.
7. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the detector
includes a scatter-based radiation source detection device, the
apparatus being free of transmission-based detection devices.
8. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the detector
includes at least one of a back scatter detector, a side scatter
detector, and a forward scatter detector.
9. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the nautical vessel
and platform are capable of moving relative to each other.
10. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein the platform is in
a nautical environment.
11. A method of inspecting a nautical vessel in a nautical
environment, the method comprising: spacing a radiation source from
the nautical vessel, a body of water separating the radiation
source from the nautical vessel; directing a beam of penetrating
radiation from the radiation source toward the nautical vessel;
moving the beam of radiation relative to the nautical vessel, the
nautical vessel having a reaction to the beam of radiation;
detecting the reaction of the nautical vessel; and producing an
output signal characterizing the nautical vessel, the output signal
being based upon the detected reaction of the nautical vessel.
12. The method as defined by claim 11 further comprising:
transmitting the output signal to an analysis unit.
13. The method as defined by claim 12 further comprising:
controlling the analysis unit to apply image correction to the
output signal.
14. The method as defined by claim 11 wherein the beam of radiation
is a pencil beam.
15. The method as defined by claim 11 wherein the reaction is
detected with at least one of a back scatter detector, a side
scatter detector, and a forward scatter detector.
16. A system for inspecting a nautical vessel in a nautical
environment, the system comprising: an X-ray source for directing
X-ray radiation toward the nautical vessel, the nautical vessel
having a reaction to the X-ray radiation; and a scatter-based
detector for detecting the reaction of the nautical vessel and
producing an output signal based upon the reaction of the nautical
vessel, a body of water separating the system from the nautical
vessel.
17. The system as defined by claim 16 wherein the X-ray radiation
has an energy level between 100 KeV to 1 MeV.
18. The system as defined by claim 16 wherein the X-ray radiation
has an energy level that is sufficient to provide an output signal
of the nautical vessel when the nautical vessel is between ten and
forty feet from the system.
19. The system as defined by claim 16 further comprising: a second
nautical vessel that supports the X-ray source and the detector,
the nautical vessel being remotely controllable.
20. An apparatus for inspecting a nautical vessel in a nautical
environment, the apparatus comprising: means for spacing a
radiation source from the nautical vessel, a body of water
separating the radiation source from the nautical vessel; means for
directing a beam of penetrating radiation from the radiation source
toward the nautical vessel; means for moving the beam of radiation
relative to the nautical vessel, the nautical vessel having a
reaction to the beam of radiation; means for detecting the reaction
of the nautical vessel; and means for producing an output signal
characterizing the nautical vessel, the output signal being based
upon the detected reaction of the nautical vessel.
21. The apparatus as defined by claim 20 further comprising means
for transmitting the output signal to an analysis unit.
22. The apparatus as defined by claim 21 further comprising means
for controlling the analysis unit to apply image correction to the
output signal.
23. The apparatus as defined by claim 20 wherein the means for
detecting the reaction includes a scatter-based detector.
24. The apparatus as defined by claim 9 wherein the platform is
substantially stationary.
25. The method as defined by claim 11 wherein the radiation source
is substantially stationary.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to non-invasive inspection of
physical objects and, more particularly, the invention relates to
the use of X-ray inspection systems to inspect physical objects in
a nautical environment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The interdiction of illicit drugs, explosives, and other contraband
is an important goal of law enforcement. To that end, a variety of
technologies have been developed and deployed for the non-intrusive
inspection of containers not readily susceptible to visual scrutiny
from the outside. The non-intrusive aspect of these inspection
techniques is important; the great majority of containers do not
carry contraband, and the public would not long tolerate the
delays, disruption (and in some cases damage) of property, and
invasions of privacy that would occur if invasive inspection means
were commonly used. Non-intrusive inspection typically is
non-destructive and usually can be accomplished faster than
intrusive inspection, thereby increasing productivity of
inspectors. Increased productivity means more containers inspected
and more contraband interdicted.
Among non-intrusive inspection methods, x-ray imaging in its many
forms has been a proven technology capable of detecting a variety
of contraband. X-ray systems have been based on transmission
imaging in any of a variety of implementations: cone-beam
(fluoroscopes), fanbeam, flying-spot, multi-projection
configurations; dual-energy imaging; computed tomography; as well
as on imaging incorporating the detection of x-ray radiation
scattered in various directions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,623 ("the '623 patent") discloses a land based
device for inspecting a land based cargo container with penetrating
radiation. Although useful, the '623 patent does not disclose or
suggest a device that can be used to non-invasively inspect a
physical object (e.g., a barge or boat) in a nautical environment.
Without some kind of inspection means that can be remotely used by
an inspecting boat, an uninspected boat with explosives or other
dangerous materials can damage the inspecting boat, or the
inspecting boat's protectorate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for
inspecting a physical object in a nautical environment includes a
radiation source capable of directing a beam of penetrating
radiation toward the physical object, and a detector capable of
detecting the reaction of the physical object to the penetrating
radiation. In addition to detecting the reaction, the detector is
capable of delivering an output signal characterizing the physical
object. Accordingly, the output signal is based upon the reaction
of the physical object to the penetrating radiation.
In illustrative embodiments, the apparatus includes a platform that
may be in a nautical environment. The apparatus also may include a
transmitter for transmitting the output signal. Such transmitted
output signal may be received by an analysis unit, which also
includes an image correction module.
Among other things, the radiation source includes an X-ray source.
The detection apparatus may include devices implementing
scatter-based radiation detection techniques, while the apparatus
is free of devices implementing transmission-based radiation
detection techniques. The detector thus may include at least one of
a back scatter detector, a side scatter detector, and a forward
scatter detector. In illustrative embodiments, the physical object
and platform are capable of moving relative to each other.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of
inspecting a physical object in a nautical environment directs a
beam of radiation toward the physical object, and moves the beam of
radiation relative to the physical object. In a manner similar to
the above noted aspect of the invention, the physical object has a
reaction to receipt of the beam of radiation. The reaction of the
physical object thus is detected, and an output signal
characterizing the physical object is produced. The output signal
is based upon the detected reaction of the physical object.
In other embodiments, the output signal is transmitted to an
analysis unit. The analysis unit then may be controlled to apply
image correction to the output signal. The beam of radiation may be
a pencil beam, while the reaction may be detected with at least one
of a back scatter detector, a side scatter detector, and a forward
scatter detector.
In accordance with other aspects of the invention, a system for
inspecting a nautical object in a nautical environment includes an
X-ray source for directing X-ray radiation toward the nautical
object, and a scatter-based detector for detecting the reaction of
the nautical object to the X-ray radiation. The detector also is
capable of producing an output signal based upon the reaction of
the nautical object. The nautical environment separates the system
from the nautical object.
In some embodiments, the X-ray radiation has an energy level of
between 100 KeV to 1 MeV. In other embodiments, the X-ray radiation
has an energy level that is sufficient to provide an output signal
when the nautical object is between ten and forty feet from the
system. The system may include a nautical vessel that supports the
X-ray source and the detector. The nautical vessel may be remotely
controllable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and advantages of the invention will be appreciated
more fully from the following further description thereof with
reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary nautical environment in
which illustrative embodiments of the invention may be used.
FIG. 2 schematically shows a container that may be used to contain
a radiation source and detection device constructed in accordance
with illustrative embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 3 schematically shows a radiation source and detection device
constructed in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the
invention.
FIG. 4 shows an illustrative process of inspecting a physical
object in a nautical environment.
FIG. 5 shows a first exemplary X-ray image of a physical object
taken by a radiation source and detection device constructed in
accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 6 shows a second exemplary X-ray image of a physical object
taken by a radiation source and detection device constructed in
accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
In illustrative embodiments of the invention, a radiation source
and detection system is used to inspect physical objects in a
nautical environment by means of scatter X-ray technology. No
transmission X-ray technology is required. Use of this system
enables remote inspection of nautical vessels. Details of various
embodiments are discussed below.
FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary nautical environment 10 in
which illustrative embodiments of the invention may be used. As
used herein, a physical object is considered to be in a "nautical
environment" when it is separated from land by a natural body of
water. By way of example, a ship, boat, barge, or platform (e.g.,
an oil platform) in an ocean, sea, lake, river, or pond is
considered to be in a nautical environment. A boat on land,
however, is not considered to be in a nautical environment. In a
similar manner, a dock extending into a natural body of water is
not considered to be in a nautical environment since it is
connected to the land (i.e., it is a man made extension of the land
bordering the natural body of water). As a final example, a boat
connected to an ocean dock by a line is considered to be in a
nautical environment since it still is separated from land by a
natural body of water.
Accordingly, FIG. 1 shows a nautical object inspection system
(referred to herein as "inspection system 12") deployed on an
inspection boat 14, and a target boat 16 being remotely and
non-intrusively inspected by the inspection system 12. To that end,
the inspection system 12 includes a container 18 (shown in detail
in FIG. 2) housing a radiation source and detection system
(referred to herein as "radiation system 20" and shown in detail in
FIG. 3). The radiation system 20 emits a pencil beam 22 of X-rays
toward the target boat 16, and responsively detects radiation
scattered by the target boat 16 as a result of its interaction with
the pencil beam 22.
In addition, the radiation system 20 may transmit an output signal
24 representing the target boat 16 to a land based analysis unit
26. Accordingly, in illustrative embodiments, the radiation system
20 may include a wireless transponder system (discussed below) for
transmitting the output signal 24 to the analysis unit 26.
Conventionally known wireless data transmission techniques may be
used. Upon receipt, the analysis unit 26 may apply image correction
to the output signal 24, and display an X-ray scatter image of the
target image on a display device. In alternative embodiments, the
analysis unit 26 also is based in a nautical environment, or it is
a part of the inspection boat 14. In the latter case, the
inspection boat 14 acts as a platform for the entire radiation
system 20. In fact, in such embodiment, the analysis unit 26 may be
considered to be a part of the radiation system 20.
Among other applications, the radiation system 20 may be used to
inspect the target boat 16 for explosive materials. To ensure
safety of a manned boat being protected, the inspection boat 14 may
be unmanned so that it can closely approach the target boat 16.
Such unmanned boat may be remotely controllable by conventional
means, such as with conventional radio-frequency based controllers.
In other embodiments, the inspection boat 14 may be a manned boat
that inspects sea craft coming within a preselected distance.
FIG. 2 shows the container 18 housing the radiation system 20. In
general, the container 18 may be a receptacle for storing and
transporting goods, and may include freight pallets as well as
vehicles, such as automobiles, the cab and trailer of a truck,
railroad cars, or ship-borne containers. The container 18 also may
include structures and components of the receptacle itself. Any
conventional shipping container may be used for containing the
radiation system 20. It is preferred, however, that the radiation
system 20 include one or both of source and detection elements that
operate either through a thin-walled portion of the container 18,
or exterior to the container 18. As known by those skilled in the
art, the container 18 may be portable, thus permitting the entire
inspection system 12 to be used in a variety of different
environments. The container 18 may be any reasonable size, such as
ten feet by eight feet by eight feet.
FIG. 3 schematically shows an exemplary radiation system 20 that
may be used with illustrative embodiments of the invention to
inspect a physical object 23 (also shown in the figure).
Specifically, the radiation system 20 includes a chopper wheel 28
for producing and directing a pencil beam 22 at the object 23, and
one or more back scatter detector(s) (referred to herein as
"detector 30") for detecting the resultant back scatter from the
object 23. A side scatter detector and/or a forward scatter
detector also may be used (both shown schematically as reference
number 27). Note that although a pencil beam is discussed, other
types of X-ray beams and/or radiation transmission means may be
used. Accordingly, various embodiments are not limited to pencil
beams.
The detector 30 also generates the output signal 24 in accordance
with conventional processes. In some embodiments, the detector 30
includes both the detect and output signal generation
functionality. Among other ways, both functions may be implemented
as separate units, or as a single unit with dual functionality. As
an example, the radiation system 20 may include back scatter X-ray
sub-components similar to those disclosed in the following commonly
owned U.S. patents and/or patent applications, the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein, in their entireties, by reference:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,623 (Swift et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,580
(Grodzins et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,104 (Adams et al.); and U.S.
Pat. No. 5,313,511 (Annis et al.).
Illustrative embodiments may produce pencil beams 22 of X-rays
having energy levels ranging from 100 KeV to 1 MeV. Such energy
levels should permit remote inspection from between about ten and
forty feet from the object 23.
In illustrative embodiments, the chopper wheel 28 is reduced in
size to be more portable. Consequently, the focal spot also should
be reduced in size. The detector 30 also may include a transponder
32 that transmits the output signal 24 (characterizing the target
boat 16) to the analysis unit 26. The transponder 32 may be a part
of the detector 30, or may be connected to the detector 30 to
receive the output signal 24. In addition, the transponder 32 may
have a transmitter only, or both a transmitter and receiver. In
illustrative embodiments, the transponder 32 is a distance
measuring transponder.
FIG. 4 shows a process of inspecting a physical object in a
nautical environment in accordance with illustrative embodiments of
the invention. The process begins at step 400, in which the pencil
beam 22 is directed toward an object, such as the target boat 16 of
FIG. 1. The pencil beam 22 may be scanned in a vertical direction
via the chopper wheel 28. During scanning, the target boat 16 and
radiation system 20 move relative to each other, thus enabling a
full boat scan. In some embodiments, the target boat 16 moves while
the radiation system 20 stays stationary, while in other
embodiments, the radiation system 20 moves while the target boat 16
remains relatively stationary. During testing, satisfactory results
were achieved when the target boat 16 moved up to five miles per
hour through the vertical scan pencil beam 22.
Upon receipt of the pencil beam 22, the target boat 16 reacts in an
expected manner. Accordingly, the detector 30 detects this reaction
(step 402), and produces the above noted output signal 24
characterizing the target boat 16 (step 404). The output signal 24
then may be transmitted to the analysis unit 26 for further
processing (step 406).
Among other things, the analysis unit 26 applies image correction
techniques to the output signal 24 (step 408) and then generates an
output image for display. By way of example, the display may be an
X-ray photograph of the target boat 16 on a lit reading device, or
a cathode ray tube display device. In illustrative embodiments, the
image correction techniques incorporate both conventional processes
and additional processes to compensate for the additional
difficulties associated with a nautical environment (e.g., waves
moving the target boat 16). Specifically, the additional processes
may subtract noise, boost the reaction signal produced by the
target boat 16, and correct the aspect ratio of the target boat
16.
As noted above, experiments out of a nautical environment have been
conducted with illustrative embodiments of the invention. FIGS. 5
and 6 show exemplary results of those experiments. In particular,
FIG. 5 shows a target boat 16 taken about three feet from the
radiation system 20 with a pencil beam 22 having an energy of about
450 Kev/6.6 ma. The figure clearly shows an explosive stimulant 34.
In addition to the target boat 16, FIG. 5 also shows a man, with a
gun, standing about nine feet from the radiation system 20. FIG. 6
shows target boat 16 taken about three feet from the radiation
system 20 with a pencil beam 22 having an energy of about 250
Kev/3.3 ma. In a manner similar to FIG. 5, this figure also clearly
shows an explosive stimulant 34. Other experiments demonstrated
that increasing the distance between the radiation system 20 and
the target boat 16 generally produces an elongated image of the
target boat 16. Still other experiments conducted in a simulated
nautical environment have produced satisfactory results. In a
simulated environment, illustrative embodiments have detected
hidden explosives in the hull of a boat 22 feet from the inspection
system 12. As noted above, it is expected that illustrative
embodiments may be able to detect hidden explosives 40 feet from
the inspection system 12.
In alternative embodiments, the inspection system 12 is on land,
but inspects boats in a nautical environment. For example, the
inspection system 12 may be on the seacoast, like a lighthouse, and
examine boats approaching the shore at a predetermined distance.
For example, the inspection system 12 may be used to inspect boats
at a dockside or an entrance to a waterway.
Due to its portability, the inspection system 12 may be moved
alternatively between a land based platform, and a nautical based
platform. Moreover, the inspection system 12 may be mounted on a
permanent nautical device, such as an anchored platform in a
nautical environment, and be remotely and/or manually
controlled.
Accordingly, use of illustrative embodiments of the invention
permits non-invasive examination and inspection of the contents of
boats in a nautical environment. Among other benefits, this system
improves traffic flow and does not require that target boats be
within some apparatus, such as an apparatus associated with a
target X-ray device.
Although various exemplary embodiments of the invention have been
disclosed, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications can be made that will achieve
some of the advantages of the invention without departing from the
true scope of the invention. These and other obvious modifications
are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *